Pocket Money

Pocket money as an au pair

As an au pair, do I get pocket money or a real salary? How much is my pocket money or salary as an au pair? Do I have to pay taxes on my pocket money?

Read more about pocket money as au pair here.

INFORMATION AT A GLANCE

Your au pair wage is actually called pocket money and not salary

Since 2006, an au pair in Germany earns 260 Euros per month as pocket money

As an au pair, you receive your pocket money even if you are ill

In Germany, as an au pair you don't have to pay taxes on your pocket money

You will receive your au pair pocket money even in case of an illness or during your vacations

Your German host parents can deduct the pocket money they pay you from their taxes

NO SALARY BUT POCKET MONEY

You won't earn a regular salary, but a small au pair pocket money. Your au pair job is not an employment; it is more about cultural exchange. You receive your au pair pocket money and free food and accommodation in exchange for helping your host family.

How much pocket money you get is different in every country and also depends on your working hours as an au pair.

You will receive your au pair pocket money even in case of an illness or during your vacations.

As an au pair in Germany you earn at least 260 Euros per month. In Austria you earn 376.26 Euro as an au pair and in Switzerland the amount of your pocket money depends on the canton where your host family lives.

As an au pair, you should open a free account abroad so your host parents can transfer your pocket money easily. Also, this way, your host parents can collect the slips for the tax office so they can later deduct it from their taxes as child care costs. After your arrival, ask your host parents for an advance on your money. After that, you can set a date for you monthly payments.

POCKET MONEY FOR AU PAIRS BY COUNTRY – AN OVERVIEW

The numbers refer to the amount of au pair pocket money per month (2012):